Page 27 of Black Hollow: Awakening

“I hope it’s sooner, because my roommate has given up on logical explanations and is starting to think our place is haunted.”

Liam started laughing, but the mention of Danny made Will feel bad all over again. He really should have handled that better.

“Should we head in?” Liam suggested.

“Sure.”

A moment later, they were inside Norma’s house, and Will was hit by a shock. There were so many people around, he could barely get his bearings. Were they all…?

“Hey, Will,” he heard a familiar voice say, and he spotted Oscar smiling at him.

“H-Hey,” Will replied weakly.

He glanced around nervously, and spotting Norma in the crowd, he quickly pushed his way through to pull her aside.

“What’s up, Will?” she asked casually.

“Who exactly is Oscar?” Will blurted out, glancing over at Oscar, who seemed confused by his sudden departure.

“Our classmate?” Norma replied with a condescending lift of her eyebrow.

“I know that. I’m asking… what is he?”

Norma blinked.

“The answer’s still the same.”

“So he’s not a vampire or…?”

Norma started laughing.

“So you invited normal people, too?”

“What, you thought I organized a party for freaks? Seriously? I invite everyone I like to my parties. And Oscar’s cool. And I think he has a thing for you, so have fun. Ciao!”

Before Will could ask anything else, Norma snagged some guy and was dancing in his arms a moment later.

Will let out a heavy sigh. If he’d known this was what it would be like, he would have brought Danny. He didn’t need to lie.

Not quite sure what to do with himself, he walked over to one of the tables to pour himself some punch. That’s when he saw Blake, who was shooing away some girl, looking exceptionally irritated. Was he dressed as… a vampire? He was wearing a black cape with a high collar. And he had fake blood smeared on his face and neck.

At least, Will hoped it was fake.

“Very… creative costume,” he remarked as Blake walked past him.

Alden gave him a look full of disdain and, without a word, kept walking, only to be promptly accosted by another unfortunate victim of his vampiric charm.

“I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Will flinched, then turned his gaze to Oscar, who was standing beside him.

“I didn’t expect to see you, either.”

“Hm?”

“It’s nothing,” Will muttered evasively, feeling increasingly disappointed. He had imagined this evening differently.

“I was talking to Dan today. He said something weird.”